Ken Frank writes that the ex-congressman wanted to stay in office for months until he was pressured to quit.
To the Editor:
Civilization is a thin crust over a volcano. I was reminded of that saying when I read about the arrogance of U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah.
After being convicted on 22 counts including bribery, racketeering, fraud and conspiracy, the Pennsylvania Democrat was not ashamed to say he was going to stay in office until his October sentencing, although he has since resigned.
Then I watched other Democrats protest on the floor of the Senate like little children, smug with the idea that guns are the cause of all the terrorism we are watching. This is tantamount to blaming the airplanes for the bombing of Pearl Harbor while ignoring the ideology of Japan.
Black Lives Matter activists, Bernie Sander's supporters and a host of other protesters unyieldingly force themselves in our faces with no concern for the law. It's not a reach to believe they are mostly Democrats. I'm not making a case for "angelic" Republicans, but the Democratic Party seems to harbor lawlessness like I've never seen. The party even comforts immigrants who are here illegally and desires that they be able to vote.
I see my country as more uncivilized than ever before. Morals are dead. Values are based on one's own narcissistic desires. Shame is voiceless. People like Fattah have no personal integrity for their followers to witness and learn from.
This reminds me of what a young male Democrat said years ago, when asked what he thought about President Bill Clinton's sexual escapades in the White House. He smiled and said, "Sure makes me feel better about my sins." The poison of that thought has grown roots. And those roots are shredding the thin crust of civilization over the volcano.
Ken Frank
Pitman
Washington Twp. follows Atlantic City's path
To the Editor:
What happened to Atlantic City may happen to Washington Township.
Atlantic City was known as the biggest casino resort on the East Coast. Its success has come to an end, partly because of political corruption, and its future is uncertain.
Washington Township is known as the "Premier Community" of South Jersey, but because of local government's political culture, the township is losing its identity little by little.
The irresponsible spending of taxpayers' dollars is a recipe for a failing administration. The more that money is wasted on political jobs and political appointments, the less there is to pay the employees who fix our roads, maintain our parks and keep us safe. The result is that the taxpayers do not receive all the services that they are paying for.
If we continue to have the current political establishment in a leading role, in a very short time Washington Township will be another Atlantic City. It is inevitable!
Granting a 25-year property tax abatement to a 330-unit apartment and mixed-use complex under the township's PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) ordinance imposes a substantial debt on the township's other taxpayers.
Common sense dictates that this ordinance must be repealed, since the math shows that it does not benefit the community. We should not be paying for people to come and live here.
Giancarlo D'Orazio
Washington Township
Editor's note: The writer is a former Republican township councilman and is running this fall for mayor as an independent candidate.
IRS scams still targeting N.J.
To the Editor:
Be on guard, my friends. There are hucksters, identity thieves and underhanded shysters at every turn.
A couple of years ago, I was caught off-guard by a phone call. The caller told me she was from the IRS and that I had to call a number immediately to resolve a tax-return issue that could lead to criminal proceedings.
I couldn't imagine what the problem was, since I've always tried to be honest to the penny with my tax returns. So, I frantically called the number and started talking to someone who began to ask me questions. When he asked me my Social Security number, I thought, "Wait a minute -- the IRS should know my SSN."
At long last, the red flag finally went up. I told the "representative" I'd call him back. Then I talked to my father and one of my friends, and the scam came into clear focus. The first tip should have been that the caller ID didn't say "IRS." I made a call to the police, and they directed me to a website to file my information and complaint.
But this year, I got two more IRS scam calls. On TV shows, the cops use phone numbers to track down the bad guys. So, South Jersey's finest, you have your assignment. Go get 'em!
And, citizens, beware.
Anthony Milanese
Paulsboro
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